What is your experience focusing manual lenses with either the D600 or D800 ??

I was to a store this afternoon that had two Nikon models, the D600 and D800;
and one Canon model, the 5D Mark III. The Nikon D800 and D600 cameras felt
very good in my hand. They were not as heavy as I had thought. I tried each
of the cameras with a 24-70 mm. f/2.8 Looking through the viewfinder was a
bit darker with the Nikons and much brighter with the Canon. The seller said that
Nikons have a darker viewfinder. Could this be changed? The 24-70 mm. from
Canon is shorter. Though, I wouldn't buy one from any of the two brands!

As an observation -
There are definitely more alt lenses that would be easier and cheaper to use with
Canon as with Nikon. For example, Leica R lenses only need an adapter to be
used with a Canon and not a costly conversion like with Nikon. Contax N lenses
can only be used with Canon, and the ones with a Contax/Yashica mount can only
be used with Canon.

The problem is also that alt lenses are not always a bargain, and many times one
is better off buying a new lens, like the ones from Zeiss, made for Nikon, Canon,
and other brands. What is not so appealing is that the 5D Mark III has the value
of a Nikon D800, (actually $200 more expensive), but with one third less mega
pixels!

So, it is almost like a no brainer to go for a Nikon! To my understanding the image
quality with 24 and 36 MP can be superior to Canon's. I just wonder if one could
change the focusing screens to brighter ones to be able to focus manually!
Which bright focusing screen are you using?

A better focusing screen to focus manual is not a brighter one. You need a more matted one, that in result darkens the image in the viefinder. The brighter ones show more light but less what is in focus.

A better focusing screen to focus manual is not a brighter one. You need a more matted one, that in result darkens the image in the viefinder. The brighter ones show more light but less what is in focus. Then it may be a bit complicated to focus with the D800. The screen was a bit dark for me!

Ralph Conway wrote:
Do you use the original screen? So if it works fine for you.

Ralph
Yes, I use the original screen. Coming from the D7000, it's all the difference in the world. I also rely on the green dot indicator quite a bit. I may install a Katzeye focus screen down the road, but my keeper rate is so high I'm not sure it's even needed.

I have a D600 and a couple of AIS lenses and Rokinon. Just as Leighton mentioned the focus dot indicator is so helpful and coming from DX I am finding the viewfinder very enjoyable. I think what factors more in my images for me is the focus ring smoothness rather than the screen

hijazist wrote:
I have a D600 and a couple of AIS lenses and Rokinon. Just as Leighton mentioned the focus dot indicator is so helpful and coming from DX I am finding the viewfinder very enjoyable. I think what factors more in my images for me is the focus ring smoothness rather than the screen

And the combination of both of those is the reason I LOVE shooting MF! There's nothing better to seeing the image slowly come in to focus while looking through such a good viewfinder.